Facts that matter
"These are the facts that matter in Wales, and these are the facts that matter for Wales".
There was one big theme to Rhodri Morgan's speech to close the Welsh Labour Conference yesterday and one big over-riding fact he wanted to drive home before delegates did the same: Labour are still in power in Wales and the coalition that kept them in power is getting on with it.
It was a neat, contained speech that gave it to the opposition, gave it to Plaid ("where we are head to head with Plaid Cymru in May, we go head to head with Plaid Cymru in May!") and gave his own party the clear message that the deal they struck at last year's Special Conference wasn't palatable but that it was, in fact, the right one.
Welsh Labour were upbeat - more upbeat than recent drubbings here and over Offa's Dyke might have left them. It was almost as if they felt they'd been there, done that, got the T-shirt and had started learning lessons (strategy, policy, organisation, communications, campigning skills in need of an overhaul ...) and were ready to get on with it.
They just may find that the Welsh electorate aren't as ready to move on come May of course.
The First Minister quoted Dan Pat Moynihan, Hillary Clinton's predecessor as Democratic senator for New York State who said "that while anyone is entitled to their own set of opinions, no-one is entitled to their own set of facts". But as Rhodri Morgan knows too well, we don't always cast our votes with the 'right' set of facts in mind.
Missing data, undeclared donations, hard economic times ahead - they weren't on his list yesterday because they're not problems of Welsh Labour's making. But there is Northern Rock, back in the headlines today - and that must be another unpalatable fact for some Labour councillors.
Perhaps a gulp of Llandudno air helped Gordon Brown come to two decisions: to nationalise Northern Rock and to tell Andrew Marr that he's
No mention of Wales.
He'd gone as far as to tell the on Friday that "we have always got to look at what more we can do to make sure devolution works well.鈥
He was talking about Wales then but not, it appears, yesterday.
There'll be a Commission on Funding and Finance established here soon of course. In the meantime it looks as though those who like to put forward arguments claiming that Scotland is seen by London as a problem and Wales as a complication will have a chance to rehearse them all over again.
I'm Betsan Powys, 大象传媒 Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on .
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30 odd years in labour I cannot wait to get them out.
I thought Gordon was maybe "giving" Scotland with one hand (further tax raising powers) and taking back (security etc. etc.) with the other? And with the suggestion that additional SP fiscal powers could equal a cut in direct block and Barnett support. Play well in Little Engeeeerland. Cos, Gordon rules. OK! (Alistair who?)
Never mind Plaid, you can always twin with Kosovo (44% unemployment, just about held afloat by EU and Nato subsidies)...BUT, its "Independiyant" innit!
Gordon Brown does not represent Scotland and neither does London Labour. Kick them all out.
Wales should do likewise.
Wales and Kosovo do indeed have very much in common. Over the years both have been dominated by larger empire building neighbours. Like Kosovo, Wales also has very high unemployment. Remember back in the 80's the Tory's use to say High unemployment in the north(Wales as well) was a price worth paying for economic success in the south.
Well that still applies today. perhaps Kosovo is now free it can start doing something about it, wales sadly will have to wait a little longer. We've been waiting 726 years, what does it matter a few years more.
The problem we have in Wales is if we do get our freedom - who can we trust to run the country with enough common sense and vision.
I'm all for Wales being in charge of Wales and the development of the Welsh language (fel person Cymraeg iaith gyntaf), but seriously, do any names of potential leaders come to mind? I can't think of one!